Labour Chief: More than 1.4 million members’ lives impacted by NTUC

~ Workers recognise the benefits of joining a union; more have done so over the past year ~
~ NTUC calls on workers to join and partner NTUC, unions and associations to face uncertain times ahead together, achieving stronger outcomes through unity ~

Ahead of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) May Day 2025 celebrations, NTUC announced that its union membership has exceeded 1.4 million. The growth can be attributed to effective efforts by NTUC, its affiliated unions and associations to help members and workers. These include a range of programmes and initiatives that have addressed workers’ needs, thus positively impacting and enhancing their lives and livelihoods.

Singapore’s workforce has become more dynamic, with a growing proportion of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) and older workers; with approximately 63.7% of PMETs – up from 53.5% in 2014¹, and 28.2% of resident labour force aged 55 and above – up from 22.3% in 2014². These shifts reflect the evolving needs of the workforce.

NTUC is acutely aware of these shifts and has been dedicated to supporting all worker segments through targeted programmes and initiatives. These range from skills upgrading, to career coaching, job matching, workplace protection and representation, and mentorship; wage progression and negotiation; and membership programmes and financial relief and support. By staying attuned to workforce trends and proactively adapting its support, NTUC continues to play a critical role in ensuring that every worker is empowered to thrive in a changing labour landscape.

NTUC Remains Steadfast as Workforce Needs’ Evolves Amidst Global Uncertainties

Singapore is not immune to the impact of intensifying global trade tensions. Recent tariffs announced by the United States and retaliatory tariffs by other countries are likely to disrupt global supply chains and investment flows. For a small and open economy like Singapore, where trade contributes to approximately more than three times our Gross Domestic Product (GDP)³, such tariff wars can have significant downstream effects, putting the competitiveness of businesses and job security of our workers at risk, particularly in export-reliant sectors.

NTUC is closely monitoring the tariff situation, with 58 unions and 27 NTUC’s e2i career and job services touchpoints islandwide, and more, standing ready to respond to support workers’ needs. NTUC will continue working closely with its tripartite partners as part of the Economic Resilience Taskforce, to ensure that workers are supported even amidst growing uncertainty.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “Amid the uncertainties brought about by global trade and tariff wars, NTUC will strengthen efforts and work with tripartite partners to enhance job security for workers; and support Singapore’s continued ability to attract foreign investments. As we progress in SG60 and beyond, we must work together and leave no worker behind. NTUC will redouble our efforts to drive upskilling and reskilling, equipping workers with the skills needed to adapt and thrive, even as we approach a more uncertain economy. We will continue to journey alongside workers and provide the necessary resources to support them in navigating their careers and future.”

Empowering Workers Today, Shaping a Better Tomorrow: How NTUC Uplift Lives and Livelihoods

Since renewing its workers’ compact following the conclusion of the #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations (EWMC) in 2023, NTUC has made strides in protecting the interests of all workers:

a. For Youths

1. NTUC has strengthened support for youths transitioning from school to work through the NTUC Starter Membership⁴. It provides mentorship, training subsidies, career programmes, and lifestyle perks to give youths a boost. This initiative has helped over 1,000 youths gain clarity and confidence in their careers while easing their cost of living as they enter the workforce.

    

2. To support lower-income youths experiencing rising living costs, the NTUC U Care Fund has pledged $3.85 million⁵ to assist school-going children and youths, providing essential financial relief during their academic journey.

  3. Youths now have more opportunities to develop leadership skills. The NTUC Starter Awards offer bond-free scholarships and leadership development for youths, empowering the next generation of changemakers to shape a better future for workers. In addition, the Young NTUC Career Mentorship Programme has engaged more than 12,000 youth with mentorship and networking opportunities.

b. For Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs)

i. NTUC understands the pressing need for more job security due to the uncertainties pertaining to the tariff war. NTUC also recognises the importance of mentorship as a career resource, NTUC piloted the Executive Mentorship Programme in 2023 and has matched nearly 150 PME mentor-mentee pairs. From March to May 2025, NTUC will provide structured guidance to help over 250 PME mentees pivot into new roles and industries, with a particular focus on emerging sectors like artificial intelligence. Complementing the Executive Mentorship programme, NTUC recently launched the Company Mentorship Circle ⁶ to support workers’ career progression in unionised companies.

ii. NTUC’s advocacy for PMEs who are involuntarily unemployed also led the Government to develop the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme⁷. Since 2014, NTUC had proposed short term financial support for the involuntarily unemployed, conditional on their active reskilling and job search efforts. 

iii. Additionally, since 2023, NTUC has played a key role in awarding bonus points under COMPASS Strategic Economic Priorities Bonus (Criterion C6) ⁸. Through this, NTUC recognises progressive firms that work with the Labour Movement to strengthen local workforce development through either NTUC’s Company Training Committees (CTCs) or participation in Government supported training programmes, helping level the playing field for local PMEs.

c. For Caregivers

1. NTUC has advocated for policies to help caregivers balance work and caregiving responsibilities, such as the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR). TG-FWAR gives workers, such as caregivers, the formal right to request flexibility in their working arrangements, thereby improving their ability to manage both responsibilities.

    

2. NTUC's calls for more caregiver support have also led the Government to introduce the expansion of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) and the introduction of Shared Parental Leave (SPL). These changes allow both parents to share caregiving responsibilities while advancing in their careers.

3. Moreover, through NTUC U Women and Family (U WAF), caregivers gain access to essential resources like support groups and advice. Programmes such as the C U Back @ Work (CUB) Programme and the Women Supporting Women Mentorship Programme help caregivers re-enter the workforce, offering flexible arrangements and a supportive community.

d. For Older Workers

1. NTUC successfully advocated for the increase in statutory retirement and re-employment ages. This allows older workers to stay employed for longer if they wish to, providing them with greater job security and the chance to continue contributing to the workforce. Along with this, NTUC had also successfully advocated for CPF contribution rates for older workers to be increased, to close the gap with younger workers, so as to improve retirement adequacy.
   
   
2. NTUC has advocated for technology adoption and job redesign by companies to create more age-friendly and ergonomic work environments for older workers. For example, through NTUC’s CTC, these initiatives reduce physical strain, ensuring safer and more comfortable workspaces. By making workplaces more accessible, these efforts can help older workers stay in employment longer.

e. For Vulnerable Workers

Platform Workers

1. NTUC has advocated for the representation and protection of platform workers, resulting in the legislation of the Platform Workers Act (PWA) and the recognition of the Platform Work Associations (PWAs) under the Act.

    

2. This development will enable the PWAs to potentially represent the 67,000 platform workers in Singapore, which includes private-hire drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery riders. This representation gives them a formal channel to negotiate for fairer earnings, welfare, and working conditions⁹.

    

3. With the PWA, platform workers can now receive CPF contributions for retirement and housing adequacy; financial compensation for work-related injuries; and formal representation through the PWAs.

Lower-wage and lower-income workers

1. Through the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), over 155,000 lower-wage workers have benefited across nine sectors and occupations¹⁰, with those at the 20th percentile experiencing a 5.9% wage growth from 2019 to 2024. For instance, entry-level office cleaners now earn at least $1,740, up from $600 before PWM.

    

2. Through NTUC Care Fund (NTUC-U Care Fund), NTUC provided financial relief and support to 44,000 beneficiaries and their families in 2024. This assistance helped to cover their needs for daily expenses, groceries, education and school expenses, medical bills and income loss due to workplace injury, among other needs. By easing financial stress, this allows lower-income members to focus on their other responsibilities with a greater peace of mind. 

f. For All Workers

Building a Fairer and More Harmonious Workplace for all Workers

i. Workplace Fairness Legislation (WFL)

NTUC successfully advocated for the WFL, which protects workers from discrimination and ensures equal opportunities and impartial dispute resolution¹¹. The WFL benefits all workers by ensuring fair treatment based on merit and create a level playing field, particularly PMEs, those who are vulnerable and in lower-wage positions.

Job, Training and Placement Support

ii. NTUC’s Job Security Council (JSC)

Operationalised by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), JSC aims to improve matching of workers before they are retrenched or displaced, into jobs to minimise the duration of unemployment.  Over 110,000 workers have been placed from February 2020 to November 2024, including PMEs⁸. 

NTUC’s e2i has also expanded its capabilities with the AI-powered Virtual Career Coach (VCC) to support career coaches to consolidate job listings from the national job bank, and in future, other job banks, alongside skills upgrading courses, all in one place. This will provide a more scalable and sustainable solution for matching jobseekers to suitable roles and identify skills gaps. NTUC’s e2i will continue leveraging digital solutions to better provide jobseekers with career coaching, job matching, and skills upgrading advisory services.

iii. NTUC’s Company Training Committee (CTC)

Through NTUC’s CTC, over 7,400 workers, including PMEs and rank-and-file, have received an average 5% wage increase above their annual increment, structured Career Development Plans and/or skills allowances¹². This helps to strengthen their job security and support career progression.

  Beyond driving company-level training and worker outcomes, NTUC is enhancing CTC efforts with cluster-level initiatives. By partnering with employers and the Government, this clusterr- initiative synergises the NTUC CTC initiative and SkillsFuture Singapore’s ‘SkillsFuture Queen Bee’ programme to support business transformation. This effectively reaches a wider ecosystem of suppliers within the cluster and industry sector, enabling workers from these companies to be upskilled while businesses enjoy productivity gains. NTUC will continue to expand this model and create win-win outcomes.

      Looking ahead, the foundation of NTUC, tripartite partnership, and the refreshed workers compact will be key to charting the way forward. For over 60 years, NTUC has made significant progress through strong advocacy and collaboration. However, the evolving challenges and uncertainties underscore the need for collective strength and unity. NTUC remains committed to its mission of helping workers — youths, PMEs, caregivers, lower-wage workers and older workers — earn a better living and live a better life.

       Amidst shifting economic landscapes and workforce demands, NTUC calls on all workers to join and partner with NTUC, its unions and associations, so that together, they can navigate the future and achieve stronger outcomes.